Well, the Sharks managed to do it yet again on Thursday night, dusting up a mid or lower ranked team on the ladder, on the road and impressively.
The Cowboys were cod ordinary on home soil to start Round 25, as Nicho Hynes reminded everyone of his quality by leading Cronulla to a third straight win and, at least temporarily, into fourth spot on the NRL ladder.
When it comes to putting away opposition in the manner that teams inside the top eight should, few do it as well as the Sharks. Craig Fitzgibbon’s men have lost consistently to the who’s who of the potential 2023 top eight. The Rabbitohs, Raiders, Broncos, Sea Eagles and Warriors all took the two points against them in tight encounters.
In addition, the Sharks suffered bad losses against Penrith, Melbourne and in a return clash with New Zealand where they were hammered 44-12. In fact, the only teams inside the current top eight they have beaten are the inconsistent Bunnies and the Knights back in May, when they were far from the form they are showing late in the season.
Along the journey, Cronulla have beaten up on the teams they should, like the school yard bully who bailed me up against a wooden door in 1982 and robbed me of my Scanlens football cards. If I ever get my hands on that bloke!
Way back in March, the Sharks whacked the Dragons 40-8, a 44-6 win over the Cowboys in April was equally impressive. The Bulldogs were the victims in a 48-10 drubbing on June 18 and St George-Illawarra backed up for another dose, losing 52-16 in late June.
Then, faced with two important matches to lock in their place in the top eight over the last fortnight, the Sharkies picked the low hanging fruit with style yet again, ironing out the Titans by 36-6 and then comfortably accounting for the Cowboys on Thursday.
Nicho Hynes was once again superb for the Sharks against the Cowboys on Thursday night. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Across the length of the season there has been just the lone slip up against teams now considerably below them on the ladder. The Dolphins stunned the Sharks by 20 in May, yet at the time, Wayne Bennett’s team was looking a whole lot better than the struggling one now slipping further and further down the ladder and sitting in 14th.
Their 589 points scored in 2023 says a lot about the potency within the Cronulla attack and their ability to put poor teams to the sword when the opportunity arises. However, the 459 conceded also suggests that they are defensively well off the standard expected to be seriously competing for the premiership trophy in six weeks’ time.
If form means anything, the final fortnight of the home and away season will be a tricky one for Cronulla to navigate. The Knights are first cab off the rank in the Hunter, a team in electric form and looking to sure up their own position in the top eight. Then Ricky Stuart’s Raiders head to Sydney in Round 27, with their destiny likely to rest on a successful trip north.
The Newcastle Knights are flying towards September action. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Two losses for Cronulla would pretty much sum up what has a been a season of successful dealing with those expected to be so, and being handled fairly comfortably by the teams more seriously challenging for the premiership.
Barring a dramatic defensive turnaround and some steel being shown during the finals against teams that look far better prepared than they, the Sharks will be simply cannon-fodder for the big guns. There is no way a Penrith, Brisbane, Melbourne or Warriors team in full flight will be overly concerned if matched up with Cronulla during the finals.
In fact, they might actually be rubbing their hands with glee, just as the Sharks do when they beat up on the minnows.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Sharkies thrive on underdog status and don’t get the Press they deserve ,mainly due to the Attitudes like the author’s. Sure there record again Penrith an Broncs is poor- but that allows room for improvement.I’m happy they go into the Finals as Cannon Fodder - will make the victories even sweeter.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Not sure I fully agree with this. I think the Sharks - like most teams - are a step or two behind the Panthers and Broncs but I’m not sure the Warriors or Storm would hold too many fears for them at the moment
WA Sharks Fan
Roar Rookie
Here, here
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Thanks for your article, Stuart. I think it's a bit harsh on the Sharks, they are a quality team. It's fair enough that reporters, analysts and fans have high expectations of each team. But the NRL is a tough and long competition; I don't think any team should be taken lightly. Certainly, the top teams will expect to play well against lower ranked teams. But even teams at the bottom of the ladder have had good games, though have been unable to sustain consistently good performances. No win should be taken for granted; there are few teams in the NRL that are easy-beats.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Geez Stu, this would have applied 3 weeks ago. Not sure its relevant now...we will find out, I guess
RedcliffeFan
Roar Rookie
I have been highly critical of the Sharks' defence or lack of it this season and in the finals last year. And in fact over the past several years. They went from a tough, hard nosed, defensive team to a side that was clearly fine with letting in plenty as long as they scored more. No team lasts long in the finals - if they get there - with that approach. For me the nadir was the final against the Cows last year - they let in 32 points at home. Disgraceful. For much of this season it's been the same. I am still far from convinced their defence will hold up. But I do see positive signs at least. The attitude seems better - and attitude and aggression is key in a good defensive system. There are still some bad misses but there is the fight that seemed to be lacking. I desperately hope it continues. I think critics of the win over the Cows need to take a few things into account - the game was in humidity city Townsville, the Cows were coming off the bye, they were just about full strength and they boast a side packed with current Origin players. It's a very good win. My problem with Cronulla isn't when they lose - it's when they don't dig in and fight. Right now they seem to be - if they continue in that vein some top eight rivals will be in for some trouble.
WA Sharks Fan
Roar Rookie
Way to write an article to fire up a club and supporter base. Wins against 2 teams in and around the top 8 whilst travelling to polar ends of the country (both being spoken about as “contenders” only a week or 2 ago). Let’s just see how the next 2 weeks go to see if the Sharks are contenders or “cannon fodder”.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Lol both Bunnies and Cowboys were being talked about as grand finalists 3 weeks ago, now they are a lowly teams like the tigers.. Terrible article Stu, should have left this one in the folder or released it 4 weeks ago.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
A bit harsh. Three weeks ago the Sharks were supposedly unable to beat top eight sides. They've since beaten Souths and Nth Qld, who were both considered proper contenders to win the comp this year.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Two old adages might apply to the Sharks. The first is that teams need to peak in September/ October and the second is that footy's a funny game. I get the feeling this article was written a couple of weeks too early. The authors pointed out the games the Sharks have against an inform Knights and the probably desperate Raiders. If they win both of those as handsomely as they did against the Cowboys, will the same comments apply? And if they go into the finals with momentum, I'd be very sure the Storm, Panthers, etc will not be taking the Sharks lightly.